The Best Football Cleats for Every Football Player and Position
iStock
The products featured in this article have been independently reviewed. When you buy something through the retail links on this page, we may earn commission at no cost to you, the reader. Sports Illustrated editorial staff are not involved in the creation of this content. Learn more here.
With so many different types of football cleats on the market, finding the right pair to elevate your playing can be a challenge. From Nike to Under Armour to adidas and beyond, there are many quality cleats to pick from.
Of course, you need to decide between characteristics like cut, comfort, weight and more.
To help you on your journey to find the best football cleats, we’ve put in hours of research to develop a list of some of the top football cleats on the market today.
Come kick it off with us as we explore the ins and outs of these cleats in our comprehensive guide.
Our Picks for the Best Football Cleats:
- Best adidas Football Cleats: adidas Freak Ultra 23 Inline Cleats
- Best Football Cleats for Quarterbacks: Nike Alpha Menace 3 Shark
- Best Football Cleats for Running Backs: Nike Vapor Edge Speed 360 2 TB
- Best Football Cleats for Linemen: UnderArmour Highlight MC Football Cleats
- Best Football Cleats for Wide Receivers: adidas Adizero Spark Cleats
- Best Nike Football Cleats: Nike Vapor Edge Pro 360 2
- Best Football Cleats for Speed: UnderArmour Spotlight Franchise 2.0 RM Football Cleats
Best adidas Football Cleats: adidas Freak Ultra 23 Inline Cleats
adidas
Key Features:
- Price: $200
- Material: Primeknit upper
- Closure: Slip-on construction
- Best for: Traction and speed
- Best features: BOOST midsole
The adidas Freak Ultra 23 Inline Cleats get you pretty much everything you need as a player. The cleat prioritizes comfort, support, traction and a lightweight design. If you want a shoe that can quickly take you to the end of the field as a wide receiver or help you make quick cuts as a running back, these cleats deliver.
One thing to note is that some buyers wish there was a laces option. However, that’s the only downside we could find with these cleats. They offer a springy outsole to reduce lost energy as well as intentionally placed studs to help a player change directions with stability and traction.
Pros:
- Excellent traction
- Soft and breathable upper materials
Cons:
- Lack of a lace-up closure option
Best Football Cleats for Quarterbacks: Nike Alpha Menace 3 Shark
Nike
Key Features:
- Price: $45
- Material: Synthetic leather
- Closure: Mid-cut lace closure
- Best for: Quarterbacks
- Best features: FastFlex technology and SecureFit wings
As a quarterback, you need stability first and foremost. It’s up to you to step back, assess the field and get the ball in the hands of the right player to get it where it needs to go. While the Nike Alpha Menace 3 Shark Mid Football Cleats might be inexpensive compared to some of the other cleats on the list, it doesn’t mean they are low-quality cleats.
In fact, they’re some of the most popular budget-friendly cleats on the market today, especially for younger players. They’re comfortable and easy to run in and the synthetic leather upper is incredibly responsive, all while providing the breathability that you want in a long game.
Related Post: The Best Nike Shoes for Men
The outsole provides basic rubber cleats that work well with just about any position and the flexibility is why we recommend it for quarterbacks. You can move in any direction with confidence.
While there are only a few colors to choose from, including black/white, white/blue and white/red, the designs are sleek and stylish. Overall, we can’t think of a better budget-friendly cleat out there.
Pros:
- Comfortable and supportive upper
- Versatile in use
- Proper traction on turf
Cons:
- Not the most durable base
Best Football Cleats for Running Backs: Nike Vapor Edge Speed 360 2 TB
Nike
Key Features:
- Price: $100
- Material: NikeSkin overlay
- Closure: Lace closure
- Best for: Traction and speed
- Best features: Wide stud placement and low top
As a running back, you need a decent mixture of quality cleat features. To run between tackles and make quick turns, you need support and stability. However, you don’t want so much support that it sacrifices acceleration to help you get down to the endzone quickly.
The Nike Vapor Edge Speed 360 2 TB provides all the best features you need as a running back. We love the tight lace structure, which sits at the shoe’s collar to lock your ankle down. The shoe also has a NikeSkin overlay which is durable and flexible to help these shoes withstand every practice and game during the season.
However, the true focus of this cleat is the stud design. Each cleat is strategically and widely placed for solid traction no matter what kind of surface you’re playing on.
Pros:
- Five color options
- Good for traction
Cons:
- No wide-size options
Best Football Cleats for Linemen: UnderArmour Highlight MC Football Cleats
UnderArmour
Key Features:
- Price: $140
- Material: Neoprene upper
- Closure: High-cut lace
- Best for: Linemen
- Best features: Laceless neoprene upper and high-rebound super foam
If you’re playing as a lineman, the UnderArmour Highlight MC Football Cleats are some of the most versatile cleats around, offering a comfortable, supportive and lightweight feel with tons of grip. At first glance, you’ll notice the unique high-top flexible collar, which offers all the necessary mobility for quick cuts and turns.
Even with all of that mobility, you get a protective rearfoot section and a sole that bites the ground to prevent slippage. The woven upper and TPU hot melt frame provide a secure form fit, while the Super Foam insole delivers plenty of cushioning to reduce pressure during longer games. Add the 3D-molded tongue on the front and you get a cleat that feels like it naturally wraps around and encases your foot.
If you’re looking for better traction, you’ll enjoy the full-length TPU plate, which provides both primary and secondary studs. The great thing is that even with its prioritized durability on the bottom, it doesn’t feel like UnderArmour sacrifices comfort. The super high-woven upper fabric is lightweight and sits nicely atop the foot.
If you don’t think you’ll feel restricted by the high-top collar design, then you’ll likely enjoy all of the quality elements these cleats have to offer.
Pros:
- Lightweight design
- Reliable grip with primary and secondary studs
- Plenty of ankle support with high-collar design
Cons:
- Not the most breathable cleats
Best Football Cleats for Wide Receivers: adidas Adizero Spark Cleats
adidas
Key Features:
- Price: $70
- Material: Synthetic upper
- Closure: Lace closure
- Best for: Wide receivers
- Best features: Synthetic upper and outsole
If you play as a wide receiver, you need football cleats that will provide you with balanced acceleration and stability for changing direction. For acceleration, a lightweight and flexible shoe is key. You shouldn’t feel bogged down by your shoe materials. However, the outsole traction should give you the bite you need to make quick cuts and turns.
The adidas Adizero Spark Cleats are lightweight cleats, which is why we love it for wide receivers. However, even with its lightweight design, you have a strong synthetic overlay for durability and support.
Wide receivers are often the most dynamic players on the field, which is why security is crucial. With the quality lacing structure, you can always ensure the security of your feet while the strong and sturdy TPU studs deliver traction.
Pros:
- Super lightweight materials
- TPU studs deliver traction and flexibility
Cons:
- Some reviewers say that the cleats run narrow
Best Nike Football Cleats: Nike Vapor Edge Pro 360 2
Nike
Key Features:
- Price: $125
- Material: A light NikeSkin overlay
- Closure: Lace closure
- Best for: Speed and agility
- Best features: Elastic ankle cuff and wide stud placements
If speed and agility are what you’re looking for, the Nike Vapor Edge Pro 360 2 Cleats are some of the best Nike cleats on the market. In all honesty, they’re excellent for players in just about any position, as they make it easy to maneuver about the field, run fast and execute the most complex of plays without ever feeling uncomfortable.
The cleats offer reliable grip, regardless of the surface you’re playing on and they come at a relatively affordable price. If you want some cleats to help you cut through the grass like butter, you’ll appreciate the larger spikes found on the Edge plate. The soleplate feels light yet stable, excellent for any position.
The construction is very streamlined and the design feels minimal. With a breathable and lightweight NikeSkin Fabric upper, you can play long games without discomfort.
Pros:
- Reliable grip
- Flexible support
Cons:
- Some reviewers say the shoe is difficult to put on
Best Football Cleats for Speed: UnderArmour Spotlight Franchise 2.0 RM Football Cleats
UnderArmour
Key Features:
- Price: $54.99
- Material: Engineered mesh upper
- Closure: Mid-cut lace
- Best for: Speed
- Best features: Durable synthetic upper and wide Insole
If you are looking for a cleat that will support your feet and help with speed, while maintaining the speed of a narrow and streamlined cleat, we recommend checking out the UnderArmour Spotlight Franchise 2.0 RM Football Cleats. Under Armour makes some of the best cleats for players looking to increase their speed and these cleats are some of our favorite of the bunch.
They provide plenty of support with a mid-cut ankle and customizable laces. The traction is equally applaudable with ultra-long molded studs. For added durability, Under Armour built this shoe with a synthetic upper, great for long-lasting use. Some people have noted the synthetic collar being a bit uncomfortable, though if you size the shoes correctly and wear good socks, it shouldn’t be a determining factor in your purchase.
Pros:
- Durable synthetic upper
- Great for wide feet
- Ultra-long studs provide plenty of traction
Cons:
- Synthetic collar material might be a bit uncomfortable
Football Cleat Parts
In general, football cleats have three distinct parts, which contribute to how they feel on the field. These parts include:
- The upper
- The midsole
- The outsole
Upper
The upper is often made out of leather or some type of synthetic material. True leather is often more expensive than synthetic material and will provide better breathability and durability. With that said, synthetic materials have come a long way in the past decade and many high-quality synthetics are up to par with the best characteristics of leather.
The thing is, there are so many types of synthetic materials, each of which has varying levels of comfort, durability and support, meaning you may have to try different materials out to get a feel for what you like best.
However, material aside, you'll want to look closely at the lockdown system found on the upper to know how secure the cleats will feel when on your feet. There are three general types of lockdown systems found on football cleats:
- Laces - You’ll most commonly find cleats with laces for a lockdown system. The beauty of laces is that they offer a more customizable fit than other systems.
- Straps - Many football cleat manufacturers are starting to offer straps with hook-and-loop designs for better lockdown and support. We recommend looking for cleats with a combination of straps and laces if possible, as they’ll provide a better mixture of support and security.
- Slip-On - Over the years, premium football cleats with slip-on designs have become more and more prevalent. These types of cleats offer one-piece knit designs with secure fits.
Midsole
Once you’ve found the right upper, you’ll want to look at the midsole. Just about every major football cleat manufacturer has its own unique midsole design, offering varying degrees of comfort and rebound. Midsoles are more or less made of foam for long-lasting comfort, though you’ll want to look closely to see if any other special features have been integrated into the midsoles of your desired cleats to compare.
Outsole
Lastly, you’ll want to look at the outsole. Because this is the part of the football cleat that comes in contact with the ground, providing you with traction and support, you’ll want to spend a decent amount of research energy on the outsole. The way in which the outsole is constructed can have a major impact on your game.
Let’s take a look at different outsole varieties.
Outsole design
When it comes to outsole design, you’ll often have the ability to choose between molded and detachable cleats.
Molded cleats work for natural and turf surfaces and are generally cheaper than detachable cleats. You’ll often find these types of cleats used by high school players or younger athletes.
Detachable cleats are a big step up, as they often provide the flexibility for you to arrange your spikes based on your playing style, game surface and weather conditions. Note that they’ll be more expensive than molded cleats, though when you consider the fact that these are the cleats often used by college athletes and professional players, the added cost might be worth it.
As for spikes, here is a general breakdown as to what lengths you might choose depending on the conditions:
- 1/2 inch - Dry surfaces at the start of the season
- 3/8 inch - Normal grass or turf surfaces that have been played on already
- 3/4 inch - Softer or muddy surfaces
- 1 inch - Wet or icy surfaces
Cleat height
The cleat height refers to the height of the collar that wraps around your ankle.
You’ll often find either mid-cut or high-cut least, though many manufacturers make mid-cut cleats to provide the best of both worlds.
Low-cut cleats don’t provide much support, though they offer much better mobility than high-cut cleats. On the other hand, high-cut cleats offer great support, though the added material can limit mobility and flexibility.
Lastly, mid-cut cleats extend to around the ankle, providing added support and balance without restrictiveness. You’ll often find skill players, such as linebackers, tight-ends, running backs and quarterbacks, wearing mid-cut cleats.
While there are no golden rules for cleat height, we recommend basing your choice on your position.
How to Choose the Best Football Cleats for You
Position
The first thing you’ll want to consider when buying a pair of football cleats is the position you play.
There are many debates as to which cleats are best for which positions, though there are some general opinions that many professionals feel are objective.
For example, if you’re a running back or receiver, speed and agility will likely be your two biggest areas of focus. In that case, a pair of low-cut or mid-cut cleats will be your best bet, as they are often far less restrictive than high-tops and offer a more lightweight feel, making them great for quick cuts and turns.
On the other hand, if you’re a lineman, you probably need a shoe with more ankle support. In that case, a high-top cleat will be your best bet.
Now, as to what makes some cleats better than others, it all comes down to design and materials. In general, regardless of the position you play, you’ll want to find lightweight knitted upper materials for breathability and agility with durable synthetics or leather for long-lasting use.
Related Post: Boost your speed and supercharge your workout with these top-notch pre-workout supplements.
Fit
Secondly, you want to make sure that no matter what kinds of cleats you buy, they fit snugly. As we say, with just about every kind of cleat, you don’t want them to be too tight. However, your foot should fit like a glove to get proper support.
When trying on football cleats, you’ll often find that sizing is similar to that of casual shoes. Don’t be afraid to go a half-size down if you’re in-between sizes, as your cleats will stretch to your feet over time.
FAQs
Why do I need football cleats?
The main reason you need football cleats is that they can help you get a better grip on the field. Cleats are specially designed to help you run and change directions at high speeds while maintaining a balanced and upright position.
Your cleats can give you more surface grip as the underfoot plates dig into the ground.
How much should I spend on football cleats?
The price of football cleats varies greatly and the amount that you spend will depend on your available budget and personal preferences. It’s easy to spend well above $150 on a professional pair of cleats with the latest sports technology. However, it’s just as easy to find a pair for under $80 with durable materials, a comfortable fit and fewer bells and whistles.
Can I use running shoes for football?
While you can use running shoes or basketball shoes to play football, we don’t recommend them. Without proper cleat spikes, you’re more likely to slip and fall on the field, which could lead to serious injury.
What football cleats do pros wear?
There are a few main cleat brands that are the most popular in the American football realm, including Nike, Under Armour and adidas. However, there are specific cleats that have become more popular among the top NFL players. Let’s take a look at some of the most notable NFL players and the cleats they wear.
- Antonio Brown - Nike Alpha Pro 3/4
- Randall Cobb - Under Armour Nitro Mid MC
- Darrell Revis - Nike Tiempo
- Marshawn Lynch - Nike Vapor Untouchable
- Earl Thomas - Jordan VII
- Cam Newton - Under Armour C1N MC
- Odell Beckham - Nike Vapor Carbon Elite 2014 TD
Should football cleats be tight?
While football cleats should never feel so tight that they cut off your circulation or restrict movement, they should feel snug around your feet.
We recommend having space between the end of your cleat and your longest toe, which is about the width of one finger. Having this additional space will ensure the ability to maneuver freely while avoiding harsh compression.
Can you play soccer in football cleats?
While football cleats and soccer cleats might appear similar on the surface, there are a few differences that make them non-interchangeable. American football cleats often have thicker outsoles and additional toe studs for better traction and protection.
Final Thoughts
Picking the right football cleats for your needs is essential. In fact, cleats are one of the most important pieces of football equipment.
Without a good pair of cleats, you risk discomfort, lack of speed and potential injury. With our list of quality cleats and comprehensive cleat-buying guide, you should be able to make a faster and more confident cleat-buying decision.
Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.
